LIV Golf names former TaylorMade CEO Mark King as senior advisor

LIV Golf hired Mark King as a senior advisor on Monday, October 26. The former TaylorMade president and CEO starts right away, according to the league's press release, which Golfweek and Reuters both reported. Sports Business Journal had said Saturday that the hire was coming.

LIV said King is expected to recruit, build and serve as chairman of LIV Golf's advisory board "for the next era of the league." Golfweek says he will also help the league work with BC Partners as it moves toward LIV 2.0, the planned 2027 relaunch.

Who he is

King spent 34 years at TaylorMade, starting as a sales rep in the 1980s and becoming CEO in 2002, Reuters reports. Golfweek says TaylorMade's sales grew from $300 million to more than $1.85 billion on his watch. He also ran Adidas North America and Taco Bell, and he is currently executive chairman and interim CEO of Jack in the Box.

This is not the first time his name has come up at LIV. Golfweek notes that reports in 2022 had him lined up to replace Greg Norman as CEO, a move that never happened.

What LIV and King said

LIV CEO Scott O'Neil called King "a proven leader with an extraordinary track record of transforming businesses, building iconic brands, and creating community." King said in the release that he sees "a tremendous opportunity for LIV Golf to establish itself as a competitive and enduring force in the game" under a business model that puts players at the center.

LIV also said it remains "on track" to secure the support it needs to finish its recapitalization with BC Partners Credit, which could provide up to $300 million. The league says it is still talking with players about joining 2.0, and about 15 had tentatively committed by Sunday's deadline. Nothing official on that count has been announced since. The exits haven't stopped either: Graeme McDowell said Monday he won't pursue LIV 2.0.

What to watch

The next LIV bankruptcy court hearing is November 5. Watch for who King brings onto the advisory board and whether BC Partners confirms it has enough players to fund the 2027 season.